Incremental data center infrastructure commissioning

ABSTRACT

Data center mechanical infrastructure is incrementally deployed and commissioned to support incremental changes in computing capacity in a data center while mitigating interaction between infrastructure being commissioned and installed computer systems. Incremental mechanical infrastructure commissioning can be concurrent with incremental electrical infrastructure commissioning and includes operating mechanical infrastructure to remove heat generated as a result of operating electrical infrastructure to support simulated electrical loads as part of electrical infrastructure commissioning. Incremental mechanical infrastructure deployment can be based on the power support capacity provided by incrementally deployed electrical infrastructure. Incremental infrastructure deployment can include partitioning a space in which incremental mechanical infrastructure is configured to provide cooling, so that heat generation and removal in the space, based on commissioning the incremental mechanical infrastructure, is isolated electrical and cooling support provided to electrical loads located in a remainder of the data center.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/732,573, filed Jun. 5, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers,search providers, financial institutions, universities, and othercomputing-intensive organizations often conduct computer operations fromlarge scale computing facilities. Such computing facilities house andaccommodate a large amount of server, network, and computer equipment toprocess, store, and exchange data as needed to carry out anorganization's operations. Typically, a computer room of a computingfacility includes many computing racks, which may include server racks.Each computing rack, in turn, may include many computer systems,servers, associated computer equipment, etc.

Because the computer room of a computing facility may contain a largenumber of servers, a large amount of electrical power may be required tooperate the facility. In addition, the electrical power is distributedto a large number of locations spread throughout the computer room(e.g., many racks spaced from one another, and many servers in eachrack). Usually, a facility receives a power feed at a relatively highvoltage. This power feed is stepped down to a lower voltage (e.g.,208V). A network of cabling, bus bars, power connectors, and powerdistribution units, is used to deliver the power at the lower voltage tonumerous specific components in the facility.

Computer systems typically include a number of components that generatewaste heat. Such components include printed circuit boards, mass storagedevices, power supplies, and processors. For example, some computerswith multiple processors may generate 250 watts of waste heat. Someknown computer systems include a plurality of such larger,multiple-processor computers that are configured into rack-mountedcomponents, and then are subsequently positioned within a rack computersystem. Some known rack computer systems include 40 such rack-mountedcomponents and such rack computer systems will therefore generate asmuch as 10 kilowatts of waste heat. Moreover, some known data centersinclude a plurality of such rack computer systems.

Some known data centers include methods and apparatus that facilitatewaste heat removal from rack systems. Such methods and apparatus caninclude one or more instances of mechanical infrastructure which removesheat from one or more rack computer systems, including one or more of anintake air moving device which induces air flow into a space, an exhaustair moving device which induces air flow out of a space, one or more aircooling systems which chill an air flow, etc. Active air cooling systemscan include one or more of a mechanical cooling system, directevaporation cooling system, coolant circulation cooling system, chilledwater cooling system, etc.

In some cases, where some or all infrastructure initially installed in adata center is based on expected support requirements of server rackswhich are expected to be installed in the data center, the server rackswhich are actually installed in a data center may differ in supportrequirements from the server racks upon which the infrastructure for adata center is originally designed. In addition, the supportrequirements of installed server racks may vary from rack to rack.Infrastructure which is designed based on expected support requirementsof installed server racks may be at least partially restricted insupporting server racks that are actually installed.

The amount of computing capacity needed for any given data center maychange rapidly as business needs dictate. Most often, there is a needfor increased computing capacity at a location. Initially providingcomputing capacity in a data center, or expanding the existing capacityof a data center (in the form of additional servers, for example), isresource-intensive and may take many months to implement. Substantialtime and resources are typically required to design and build a datacenter (or expansion thereof), install cabling infrastructure, installracks, structural support infrastructure, electrical distributioninfrastructure, and cooling infrastructure, etc., to support changes incomputing capacity. Additional time and resources are typically neededto conduct inspections and obtain certifications and approvals, such asfor electrical and HVAC systems. Changes in computing capacity mayresult in changes in infrastructure support required to support thechanged computing capacity. Installing infrastructure equipment,modifying infrastructure equipment, etc. may be time consuming andexpensive, if even feasible. For example, where an installed server rackin a portion of a data center is replaced with another server rack,where the new server rack has substantially greater infrastructuresupport requirements, modifying the infrastructure which supported thepreviously-installed server rack may be difficult, particularly wherethe infrastructure to be modified lacks sufficient excess capacity toprovide the needed support to the newly-installed server rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a datacenter including a set of rack computer systems, electricalinfrastructure configured to support electrical power consumption by therack computer systems, and mechanical infrastructure configured to atleast support cooling of the rack computer systems, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data center includingmultiple sets of electrical and mechanical infrastructure configured toprovide electrical power support and cooling support to rack computersystems in various computer spaces, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating commissioning a power systemmechanical infrastructure and one or more sets of computer spacemechanical infrastructure, concurrently with commissioning a powerdistribution system and one or more installed initial sets of powerdistribution infrastructure in initial computer spaces of a data center,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating incremental installation andcommissioning of additional mechanical infrastructure, concurrently withincremental commissioning of additional sets of power distributioninfrastructure in one or more additional computer spaces in a datacenter, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates initial installation and commissioning of mechanicalinfrastructure to support an initial set of electrical loads in a datacenter, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates incremental installation and commissioning ofmechanical infrastructure to support incremental expansion of electricalloads in a data center, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system thatmay be used in some embodiments.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description orthe claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words“include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limitedto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of deploying mechanical infrastructure in a datacenter are disclosed.

According to one embodiment, a method for incrementally commissioningmechanical infrastructure in a data center includes installing a powerdistribution system in the data center, where the power distributionsystem comprises a set of power distribution components configured toprovide electrical power support to a plurality of rack computer systemsin a plurality of computer spaces. The method further includesinstalling a set of power system mechanical infrastructure which isconfigured to provide cooling support to the power distribution systemand verifying that the set of power system mechanical infrastructure isconfigured to support the power distribution system providing continuouspower support to the plurality of rack computer systems. Suchverification includes simulating electrical power consumption by theplurality of sets of rack computer systems, based on operation of a setof load banks electrically coupled to the power distribution system,such that the power distribution system generates heat as a result ofsupporting the simulated electrical power consumption; and providingcooling support to the power distribution system, via operation of theset of power system mechanical infrastructure, concurrently with thepower distribution system supporting the simulated electrical powerconsumption, such that the set of power system mechanical infrastructureremoves the heat generated by the power distribution system as a resultof supporting the simulated electrical power consumption. The methodfurther includes installing a set of electrical infrastructure in aparticular computer space, of the plurality of computer spaces, suchthat the set of electrical infrastructure is configured to supplyelectrical power received from the power distribution infrastructure toelectrical loads located in the particular computer space; installing aset of computer space mechanical infrastructure proximate to theparticular computer space, wherein the set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure is configured to support cooling of electrical loadslocated in the particular computer space and verifying that the set ofelectrical infrastructure is configured to support electrical powerconsumption by at least one set of rack computer systems in theparticular computer space. Such verification that the set of electricalinfrastructure is configured to support electrical power consumption byat least one set of rack computer systems in the particular computerspace includes operating at least one load bank electrically coupled tothe set of electrical infrastructure, such that electrical power supportof electrical power consumption by the at least one set of rack computersystems through the set of electrical infrastructure is simulated in theparticular computer space. The method further includes verifying thatthe set of computer space mechanical infrastructure is configured tosupport steady-state cooling of the particular computer spaceconcurrently with electrical power consumption by the at least one setof rack computer systems in the particular computer space. Suchverification that the set of computer space mechanical infrastructure isconfigured to support steady-state cooling of the particular computerspace includes providing cooling support to the particular computerspace, via operation of the set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure concurrently with operating the at least one load bankelectrically coupled to the set of electrical infrastructure, such thatthe set of computer space mechanical infrastructure removes the heatgenerated by the electrical infrastructure and the at least one loadbank as a result of simulating electrical power consumption by the setof rack computer systems in the particular computer space.

According to one embodiment, a method includes verifying that mechanicalinfrastructure in a data center is configured to support cooling of atleast an initial set of rack computer systems, of a plurality of sets ofrack computer systems, in an initial computer space, of a plurality ofcomputer spaces configured to accommodate separate sets of rack computersystems. Such verification includes simulating electrical powerconsumption, by the plurality of sets of rack computer systems, ofelectrical power supplied by a power distribution system installed inthe data center in an absence of electrical power distributioninfrastructure in an entirety of the plurality of computer spaces, suchthat the power distribution system generates heat as a result ofsupporting the simulated electrical power consumption by the pluralityof sets of rack computer systems; and operating a set of power systemmechanical infrastructure equipment, installed proximate to the powerdistribution system and collectively configured to remote heat generatedby the power distribution system, such that, concurrently with the powerdistribution system supporting the simulated electrical powerconsumption, each power distribution component of the power distributionsystem remains at an operating temperature which is less than acorresponding threshold operating temperature of the respective powerdistribution component.

According to one embodiment, a method includes verifying that mechanicalinfrastructure in a data center is configured to support cooling of aset of rack computer systems, of a plurality of sets of rack computersystems, in an individual computer space, of a plurality of computerspaces configured to accommodate separate sets of rack computer systems.Such verification includes simulating electrical power consumption bythe set of rack computer systems in the individual computer space, basedon supplying electrical power through power distribution infrastructurein the individual computer space to a load bank located in theindividual computer space, such that the power distributioninfrastructure and the load bank collectively generate, in theindividual computer space, a quantity of heat associated with thesimulated electrical power consumption by the set of rack computersystems; and operating a set of computer space mechanical equipment,independently of separate sets of computer space mechanical equipmentwhich remove heat from separate sets of rack computer systems in aremainder of computer spaces, of the plurality of computer spaces, suchthat the set of computer space mechanical equipment maintain operatingtemperatures within the individual computer space beneath a particularset of threshold temperatures, concurrently with simulating electricalpower consumption by the set of rack computer systems in the individualcomputer space.

As used herein, “air handling system” means a system that provides ormoves air to, or removes air from, one or more systems or components. Anair handling system can include one or more air moving devices.

As used herein, “air moving device” includes any device, element,system, or combination thereof that can move air. Examples of air movingdevices include fans, blowers, and compressed air systems.

As used herein, “computer room” means a room of a building in whichcomputer systems, such as rack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, “computing” includes any operations that can beperformed by a computer, such as computation, data storage, dataretrieval, or communications.

As used herein, “data center” includes any facility or portion of afacility in which computer operations are carried out. A data center mayinclude servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiplefunctions. Examples of computer operations include informationprocessing, communications, simulations, and operational control.

As used herein, “active cooling”, “active chilling”, etc. refers tocooling of air by a process which involves transferring heat from theair to one or more other fluids which are separate from the air. Suchother fluids can include water, various coolants, refrigerants, somecombination thereof, etc. Active cooling systems can include heatexchangers which remove heat from the one or more other fluids. Anexample of an active cooling system can include a cooling system whichincludes circulating air through a data center module to remove heatfrom heat producing components therein, and circulating a separate fluidthrough one or more pathways in the data center module, including pipes,coils, heat exchangers, etc. to cool the circulating air before the airremoves heat from such components, after the air removes heat from suchcomponents, concurrently with the air removing heat from suchcomponents, some combination thereof, etc. Another example of an activecooling system includes chilled water cooling systems. An example ofactive cooling includes cooling air by a process which includesmechanical cooling. An example of active cooling includes cooling air bya process which includes evaporative cooling.

As used herein, “mechanical cooling” means cooling of air by a processthat involves doing mechanical work on at least one fluid, such asoccurs in vapor-compression refrigeration systems. Mechanical coolingmay include sensible cooling.

As used hereinafter, the terms “cool” and “chill”, and variationsthereof, are used interchangeably.

As used herein, “sensible cooling” refers to cooling of air wheresensible heat of the air is removed to as to reduce the dry bulbtemperature of the air without appreciable change in the moisturecontent of the air. For example, during a sensible cooling process thedry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature of the air may be reduced,while the latent heat and dew point temperature of the air may notappreciably change.

As used herein, “evaporative cooling” refers to cooling of air byevaporation of liquid. Evaporative cooling may include adiabatic coolingof the air, whereby the dry bulb temperature of the air is reducedwithout appreciable change in the enthalpy of the air. Adiabatic coolingmay include reducing the dry bulb temperature of the air withoutappreciable change of the wet bulb temperature of the air.

As used herein, “direct evaporative cooling” means cooling of air byevaporation of liquid directly into a stream of air to be cooled.

As used herein, “evaporative cooling system” means a system that coolsby evaporation of a liquid.

As used herein, “ambient” refers to a condition of outside air at thelocation of a system or data center. An ambient temperature may betaken, for example, at or near an intake hood of an air handling system.

As used herein, a “chiller-less air cooling system” refers to an aircooling system that provides cooling air independent of internalmechanical cooling systems. Some chiller-less air cooling systemsinclude an evaporative cooling system. Some chiller-less air coolingsystems, in some embodiments, operate in a free-cooling mode withoutinternal evaporative cooling systems or mechanical cooling systems.

As used herein, a “free cooling mode” includes a mode of operation inwhich an air handling system pulls air at least partially from anexternal source (such as air outside a facility) and forces the air toelectronic equipment without active chilling in the air-handling system(e.g., fluid flow through the chiller coils in the air handlingsub-system is shut off by closing a flow control valve).

As used herein, “room” means a room or a space of a building. A“computer room” means a room in which computer systems, such asrack-mounted servers, are operated.

As used herein, providing power “support” refers to providing one ormore power feeds to be available to one or more downstream systems andcomponents, including one or more electrical loads. Such provided powerfeeds may be precluded from being received by the systems and componentsbut may be made available for receipt based at least in part upon apositioning of one or more components upstream of the systems andcomponents. For example, a secondary power distribution system mayprovide secondary power support to an electrical load by providing asecondary power feed that can be selectively routed to the load by aswitching device that is downstream of the secondary power distributionsystem and upstream of the load, where the switching device mayselectively route the secondary power feed or a primary power feed tothe load based at least in part upon one or more conditions associatedwith the primary power feed. Where a power distribution system, one ormore power distribution components, etc. are configured to support acertain maximum amount of electrical power consumption, the maximumamount of electrical power consumption is referred to herein as thepower support capacity of the power distribution system, one or morepower distribution components, etc.

As used herein, “electrical load” includes a device, component, etc.which consumes electrical power. Where a device consumes electricalpower to perform one or more functions, including performing computingoperations, the device is referred to herein as a “live load”. Where adevice generates an amount of electrical power consumption whichcorresponds to electrical power consumption by one or more live loads,the device is referred to herein as a “test load”. Where a powerdistribution system supplies electrical power which is consumed by oneor more live loads, test loads, some combination thereof, etc., thepower distribution system is referred to as “supporting”, or “providingelectrical power support to”, the one or more live loads, test loads,some combination thereof, etc. The electrical power consumption, by anelectrical load, can itself be referred to as a load.

As used herein, “power distribution unit”, also referred to herein as a“PDU”, means any device, module, component, or combination thereof,which can be used to distribute electrical power. The elements of apower distribution unit may be embodied within a single component orassembly (such as a transformer and a rack power distribution unithoused in a common enclosure), or may be distributed among two or morecomponents or assemblies (such as a transformer and a rack powerdistribution unit each housed in separate enclosure, and associatedcables, etc.).

As used herein, “primary power” means any power that can be supplied toan electrical load, for example, during normal operating conditions. Apower distribution system (also referred to herein as a “power system”)that distributes primary power may be referred to as a primary powersystem.

As used herein, “secondary power”, which can include one or more of“reserve power”, “backup power”, etc., means power that can be suppliedto an electrical load upon the failure of, or as a substitute for,primary power to the load. A power distribution system (also referred toherein as a “power system”) that distributes secondary power may bereferred to as a secondary power system.

As used herein, “computer system” includes any of various computersystems or components thereof. One example of a computer system is arack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computer is not limited tojust those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, butbroadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, amicrocomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an applicationspecific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and theseterms are used interchangeably herein. In the various embodiments,memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium,such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively, a compact disc-readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, additional input channelsmay include computer peripherals associated with an operator interfacesuch as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computerperipherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner.Furthermore, in the some embodiments, additional output channels mayinclude an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, a “damper” includes any device or component that can bemoved to control (e.g., increase or decrease) the flow of fluid througha duct or other passageway. Examples of dampers include plates, blades,panels, or discs, or any combination thereof. A damper may includemultiple elements. For example, a damper may include a series of platesin parallel relation to one another that can be simultaneously rotatedto close a duct. As used herein, to “position” a damper means to placeor leave one or more elements of the damper to achieve desired flowcharacteristics through the damper, such as open, closed, or partiallyopen. In a system with eighteen air handling sub-systems, positioningthe outside air dampers may include opening outside air dampers in eightof the sub-systems and keeping outside air dampers closed in the otherten sub-systems.

As used herein, a “module” is a component or a combination of componentsphysically coupled to one another. A module may include functionalelements and systems, such as computer systems, circuit boards, racks,blowers, ducts, and power distribution units, as well as structuralelements, such a base, frame, housing, or container.

As used herein, a “rack computer system” means a computer system thatincludes one or more computing devices mounted in a rack.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a datacenter including a set of rack computer systems, electricalinfrastructure configured to support electrical power consumption by therack computer systems, and mechanical infrastructure configured to atleast support cooling of the rack computer systems, according to someembodiments.

Data center 100 includes separate spaces 172, 174, 176 which are eachassociated with separate elements of providing and supporting computingcapacity in the data center 100. For example, as shown, space 172 isassociated with electrical power support capacity and includes a spacein which at least some electrical infrastructure, which includes powerdistribution systems 102A-B and 106 and at least some of powerdistribution infrastructure 104, 107A-C, are located. In addition, space174 is associated with providing computing capacity and includes a spacein which computer spaces 110 which include separate sets 112 of rackcomputer systems 113 are located. In addition, space 176 is associatedwith computer space mechanical support capacity and includes a space inwhich various sets of mechanical infrastructure 180 are located. In someembodiments, some or all of one or more of spaces 172, 174, 176 arelocated within separate rooms which are separated by one or morepartitioning structures, including one or more of walls, doors, etc. Insome embodiments, some or all of one or more of spaces 172, 174, 176 arelocated within a common enclosure.

Data center 100 includes a computer room 174 which includes multiplecomputer spaces 110, also referred to herein as “spaces”, which eachprovide computing capacity for the data center 100. In some embodiments,each separate space 110 is a separate computer room within computer room174, where room 174 includes a single enclosure of rooms 110. Each space110 includes an aisle 111 and two rows 112 of rack computer systems 113,also referred to herein as “sets” 112 of rack computer systems 112,which extend along the length of the aisle 111 along opposite side endsof the aisle 111. Each rack computer system 113 can provide at least aportion of computing capacity of the space 110 by performing computingoperations. In the illustrated embodiment, each space 110 in room 174 ofdata center 100 is oriented in parallel, such that the respective aisles111 of each of the spaces 110 extend in parallel with each other alongtheir respective lengths between opposite ends of the aisles 111.Furthermore, the rows 112 of rack computer systems 113 in the parallelspaces 110 extend in parallel with each other.

Data center 100 includes electrical infrastructure 190 which provideselectrical power support to the various rack computer systems 113 in thedata center 100. Electrical infrastructure 190 includes primary powerdistribution systems 102A-B and secondary power distribution system 106.Each power distribution system 102A-B, 106 can include various separatesets of power distribution components, including a utility transformer,generator, uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”), power distribution unit(“PDU”), power distribution panel board (PDP), utility distributionboard, critical distribution board, etc. Each separate powerdistribution system receives utility power from a separate utility powersource and is configured to provide electrical power support to one ormore sets of rack computer systems in the data center 100, via one ormore instances of power distribution infrastructure. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1, power distribution infrastructure includes powertransmission lines 104, 107A-C, power busways 114A-C, feed boxes 115A-C,tap boxes 103, etc. and comprises one or more sets of equipment,referred to herein as sets of power distribution infrastructure, whichare each configured to distribute power provided by one or more powerdistribution systems to one or more sets of rack computer systems 113located in one or more corresponding particular spaces 110.

Each space 110 in data center 100 includes a set 179 of powerdistribution infrastructure configured to supply electrical power,received from one or more power distribution systems 102, 106, to one ormore sets 112 of rack computer systems 113 located in the respectivespace 110, thereby providing electrical power support to the sets 112 ofrack computer systems 113 and at least partially supporting computingoperations performed by the sets 112 of rack computer systems 113.

Each set 179 of power distribution infrastructure includes a set ofpower busways 114 which can provide electrical power support to rackcomputer systems 113 in the space. A set of power busways 114 caninclude separate power busways which receive power from separate powerdistribution systems and are electrically coupled to one or morecomponents in the space, so that the busways can distribute power to oneor more rack computer systems 113 via the coupled components. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, space 110 includes power busways114A-B. The busways 114 extend through the space 110, along the lengthof the aisle 111 between opposite ends of the aisle 111. Each busway114A-B includes at least one feed box 115A-B which receives power whichis carried by the respective busway and distributed to electricallycoupled components in the space 110 to provide power support to at leastsome of the rack computer systems 113 in the space.

In some embodiments, separate portions of rack computer systems in oneor more spaces receive primary power support from separate busways whichreceive power from separate primary power distribution systems. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, each space 110 includes powerbusways 114A and 114B which extend along the aisle 111 of the space 110and respectively receive primary power from a separate primary powerdistribution system 102A-B. In some embodiments, busway 114A iselectrically coupled to one of the rows 112 of rack computer systems 113on one side end of aisle 111, and busway 114B is electrically coupled toanother row 112 of rack computer systems 113 on the other side end ofaisle 111. In some embodiments, a single primary power busway 114extends through an aisle 111 and provides primary power support to eachof the rack computer systems 113 in the space 110 by electricallycoupling with each of the rack computer systems 113. Each of the primarypower busways 114A-B includes a separate feed box 115A-B at one end ofthe respective primary power busway. The respective feed boxes 115A-Bare each electrically coupled to a separate primary power system 102A-Bvia respective separate power transmission lines 107A-B.

The feed boxes 115A-B may be located at a particular end of each of theprimary power busways 114A-B that is proximate to a particular end ofaisle 111. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, feed boxes 115A-Bare located at respective ends of busways 114A-B which are proximate toan end of aisle 111 which is proximate to primary power systems 102A-B.In some embodiments, one or more of the feedboxes is coupled to a buswaydisconnect switch which is configured to selectively electrically coupleor isolate a corresponding power busway relative to a respective powertransmission line 107 instance.

Primary power distribution systems 102A-B each receive utility powerfrom separate power sources 101A-B, respectively. Each primary powerdistribution system 102A-B can distribute primary power to various rackcomputer systems 113 in the spaces 110 via power transmission lines107A-B, respectively. Each primary power system can include variousseparate sets of power distribution components, including a utilitytransformer, generator, UPS, power distribution unit (PDU), etc.

The separate instances of power transmission lines 107A-B can each atleast partially comprise one or more busways, bus ducts, power cables,etc. In some embodiments, the separate power transmission lines 107A-Care independent of the separate sets 179 of power distributioninfrastructure in separate spaces 110, where the power transmissionlines 107 comprise power distribution infrastructure associated with oneor more corresponding power distribution systems 102, 106 and can bereferred to herein as being included within the one or more powerdistribution systems. For example, power transmission lines 107A, beingcoupled to power distribution system 102A, can be referred to herein asbeing included in power transmission system, where the lines 107Acomprise a downstream end of the power distribution system 102A to whichmultiple sets of power distribution infrastructure can be electricallycoupled in parallel.

Secondary power distribution system 106 receives power from a separatepower source 105 and is electrically coupled to at least one powerdistribution component included in the primary power distributionsystems 102A-B via one or more instances of power transmission lines104. For example, the secondary power distribution system 106 can beelectrically coupled to power distribution panelboards included in eachof the systems 102A-B, where each panelboard included in a particularprimary power distribution system 102 is configured to selectivelyswitch the power distributed to the instance 107 of power transmissionlines which are coupled with a set of power busways 114 between one ofprimary power, distributed from a set of primary power distributioncomponents included in the system 102 which are upstream of thepanelboard, or secondary power distributed from the secondary powerdistribution system 106 via the instances of power transmission lines104.

In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, thesecondary power distribution system 106 distributes secondary power toone or more power distribution panelboards, and primary and secondarypower is distributed from the one or more power distribution panelboardsto one or more separate power busways 114A-C in the various spaces 110via separate lines 107A-C. A power distribution panelboard, in someembodiments, is included in one or more primary power distributionsystems 102A-B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, secondary powerdistribution system 106 is coupled, via instances of power transmissionlines 104, to power distribution panelboards included in primary powerdistribution systems 102A-B, and where secondary power from the system106 can be distributed from the power distribution panelboards insystems 102A-B to secondary power busways 114C, in each space 110, whichcarry secondary power from the system 106 independently of primary powerdistributed from the primary power distribution systems 102A-B whichdistribute power to separate primary power busways 114A-B via separateinstances of power transmission lines 107A-B. Where a switchingassembly, including an ATS, is included in a space 110 and is configuredto selectively distribute power to racks 113 in the space 110 from aseparate one of secondary power distribution system 106 or a primarypower distribution system 102A-B, the switching assembly can beelectrically coupled to each of a secondary power busway 114C in thespace 110 and at least one of the primary power busways 114A-B in thespace, so that the switching assembly can selectively distribute powerreceived from one of the secondary power busway 114C or a primary powerbusway 114A-B.

In some embodiments, a power distribution panelboard is separate fromprimary power distribution systems 102A-B, such that the various powersystems 102A-B, 106 distribute power to one or more power distributionpanelboards which are separate from the power distribution systems. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, elements 102A-B can be powerdistribution panelboards which each receive secondary power from system106 via lines 104 and each receive primary power from a separate primarypower distribution system via separate power transmission lines 101A-B,and where primary power is distributed from the panelboards via separateprimary power transmission liens 107A-B and secondary power isdistributed from one or more of the panelboards via one or moresecondary power transmission lines 107C.

In some embodiments, the secondary power distribution system 106 isdirectly electrically coupled to secondary power busways 114C via one ormore instances of power transmission lines 107C, independently of anypower transmission lines 104 electrically coupling the secondary powerdistribution system 106 to one or more components of the primary powerdistribution systems 102A-B. Where system 106 is electrically coupled tothe secondary power busways 114C in each space 110 via one or moreinstances of power transmission lines 107C, the one or more instances ofpower transmission lines 107C can comprise one or more busways, busducts, power cables, some combination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, the electrical infrastructure 190 is installedincrementally in data center 100. The incremental installation cancorrespond with incremental installation of rack computer systems 113 inthe various spaces 110 of data center 100, so that installation ofvarious equipment in the electrical infrastructure 190, where suchequipment can be referred to as electrical infrastructure components, ispostponed until such equipment is required to be installed to supportelectrical power consumption by one or more rack computer systems 113 inthe data center. As a result, capital expenditure on electricalinfrastructure components is postponed until required, therebymitigating resource waste which can result from installing componentsbefore they is needed such that the installed components remaininstalled but unused for a period of time.

For example, where data center 100 is initially constructed, and thenumber of rack computer systems 113 to be initially installed can beinstalled in a single space 110, a primary power distribution system102, instance of power transmission lines 107, and a set 179 whichincludes at least one busway 114 in space 110 can be installed, so thatelectrical power support can be provided to the rack computer systems113 installed in the space 110. A secondary power distribution system106, as well as additional primary power distribution systems 102, powertransmission lines 107, 104, and busways 114 can be installedconcurrently. As the computing capacity requirement for the data center100 increases over time, additional rack computer systems 113 can beinstalled in the initial space 110 to provide additional computingcapacity until the available space in which the rack computer systems113 can be installed in the initial space 110 is exhausted, at whichpoint at least one additional busway 114 is installed in another space110, and the additional busway 114 coupled to a primary powerdistribution system 102 via one or more instances of power transmissionlines 107, so that rack computer systems 113 can be installed in theanother space 110 and receive electrical power support from theadditional busway 114.

Data center 100 includes one or more sets of mechanical infrastructurewhich provide one or more forms of infrastructure support to variousequipment, components, etc. in the data center to support computingoperations by one or more sets of rack computer systems in the datacenter. In some embodiments, one or more sets of mechanicalinfrastructure, which includes one or more sets of mechanicalinfrastructure equipment, is configured to provide cooling support toone or more spaces of a data center, thereby providing cooling supportto one or more instances of infrastructure, equipment, rack computersystems, etc. located in the one or more spaces.

In some embodiments, a set of mechanical infrastructure which isconfigured to provide cooling support to a particular portion of a datacenter includes a set of mechanical infrastructure equipment which isconfigured to provide cooling support to one or more particular sets ofrack computer systems, electrical infrastructure, etc. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, data center 100 includes a set ofpower system mechanical infrastructure 184, which can include one ormore sets of mechanical infrastructure equipment, which provides coolingsupport 185 to one or more of the power distribution systems 102A-B. Inaddition, data center 100 includes multiple separate sets of computerspace mechanical infrastructure 180, which can include one or more setsof mechanical infrastructure equipment, which each provides coolingsupport 182 to sets 112 of rack computer systems 113, sets 179 ofcomputer space power distribution infrastructure, some combinationthereof, etc. located in separate spaces 110.

In some embodiments, a set 180, 184 of mechanical infrastructureincludes one or more instances of equipment configured to provide astream of intake air to one or more sets of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc., so that the stream of intake air removes heatgenerated by the one or more sets of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. For example, a given set of mechanicalinfrastructure can include one or more air handling units, intake airmoving devices, etc. configured to provide a flow of intake air into aspace. In some embodiments, the given set of mechanical infrastructureincludes one or more air cooling devices configured to chill one or morestreams of intake air. Air cooling devices which can be included in aset of mechanical infrastructure can include one or more of an activecooling unit, a free-cooling unit, a sensible cooling unit, a mechanicalcooling unit, a chilled water cooling unit, a direct-evaporation coolingunit, etc.

In some embodiments, a set 180, 184 of mechanical infrastructureincludes one or more instances of equipment configured to remove astream of exhaust air from one or more sets of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc., so that the stream of exhaust air removes heatgenerated by the one or more sets of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. from the space in which the one or more sets ofrack computer systems, infrastructure, etc. is located. For example, aset of mechanical infrastructure can include one or more sets of exhaustair moving devices, adjustable air flow control dampers, etc.

Providing cooling support to a set of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. can include providing a flow of cooling air into aspace in which the set of rack computer systems, infrastructure, etc. islocated, where the flow of cooling air removes heat generated by the setof rack computer systems, infrastructure, etc. Providing cooling supportto a set of rack computer systems, infrastructure, etc. can includeremoving a flow of exhaust air from a space in which the set of rackcomputer systems, infrastructure, etc. is located, where the flow ofexhaust air comprises a flow of cooling air which has removed heatgenerated by the set of rack computer systems, infrastructure, etc.

In some embodiments, a set of mechanical infrastructure is configured toprovide a range of cooling, which can be quantified in thermal units,thermal units over time, etc., to modules, rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. located in a space. The maximum amount of coolingwhich can be provided by a set of mechanical infrastructure can bereferred to as the cooling support capacity of the set of mechanicalinfrastructure.

In some embodiments, one or more sets of mechanical infrastructure arelocated in one or more particular portions of the data center 100. Insome embodiments, a set of mechanical infrastructure which is configuredto provide cooling support to a particular set of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. in a particular space is installed proximate to thespace which includes the particular set of rack computer systems,infrastructure, etc. For example, as shown, the set of power systemmechanical infrastructure 184 which provides cooling support 185 topower distribution systems 102A-B is installed in the space 172 in whichthe power distribution systems 102A-B are installed, and the sets ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure 180 which each provide coolingsupport 182 to one or more particular spaces 110 are installed proximateto the respective spaces 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, data center 100 includes a space 176 in which theseparate sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure 180 areinstalled. As shown, separate sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 180 installed in space 176 can be installed in separateareas 177 of space 176, where separate sets 180 configured to providecooling support to separate spaces 110 are installed in correspondingareas 177 which are proximate to the respective spaces 110. As shown, insome embodiments, the separate areas 177 are partitioned via separatepartitions 179.

In some embodiments, multiple sets of mechanical infrastructure areconfigured to provide cooling support to a space in which multiplecomputer spaces are located, so that the multiple sets of mechanicalinfrastructure are configured to collectively provide cooling support tothe sets of rack computer systems installed in the multiple computerspaces. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, where themultiple spaces 110 comprise open, un-partitioned spaces 110 within asingle enclosure space 174, the multiple sets 180 of mechanicalinfrastructure can be configured to collectively provide cooling supportto the sets of rack computer systems 113, power distributioninfrastructure, etc. located in the multiple spaces 110 in space 174.

In some embodiments, mechanical infrastructure in a data center 100 isinstalled incrementally in data center 100. The incremental installationcan correspond with incremental installation of one or more sets of rackcomputer systems 113, sets of electrical infrastructure, etc. in thevarious spaces 174, 172, 110 of data center 100, so that installation ofvarious sets of mechanical infrastructure is postponed until suchinfrastructure is required to be installed to provide cooling support toone or more sets 112 of rack computer systems 113, electricalinfrastructure, etc. in the data center. As a result, capitalexpenditure on mechanical infrastructure is postponed until required,thereby mitigating resource waste which can result from installinginfrastructure before it is needed such that the installedinfrastructure remains installed but unused for a period of time.

Incremental mechanical infrastructure installation can correspond withincremental installation of electrical infrastructure, including one ormore sets of power distribution infrastructure, to support incrementalinstallation of one or more sets of rack computer systems. In someembodiments, one or more sets of mechanical infrastructure are installedbased on the cooling capacity provided by the one or more sets ofmechanical infrastructure.

For example, a particular amount of computing capacity provided by a setof rack computer systems can be associated with a particular amount ofheat generated by the set of rack computer systems, and a particularamount of electrical power provided by one or more power distributionsystems, sets of power distribution infrastructure, etc. can beassociated with a particular amount of heat. A set of mechanicalinfrastructure which is associated with a particular cooling supportcapacity can be installed in a data center based on a determination thatone or more sets of electrical infrastructure, including one or morepower distribution systems, sets of power distribution infrastructure,etc. are installed in the data center to provide a particular amount ofelectrical power support to rack computer systems in the data center, adetermination that the particular amount of electrical power support isassociated with generation of a particular amount of heat in the datacenter, and a determination that the set of mechanical infrastructure isconfigured to provide an amount of cooling support which at leastremoves the particular amount of generated heat.

In some embodiments, a set of mechanical infrastructure is installed inthe data center based on a determination that the cooling supportcapacity of presently-installed sets of mechanical infrastructure, alsoreferred to herein as deployed sets of mechanical infrastructure, isinsufficient to remove the amount of heat generation which is associatedwith the power support capacity of incrementally installed electricalinfrastructure and a further determination that the set of mechanicalinfrastructure is associated with a cooling support capacity which issufficient to make up the heat removal shortfall of the deployed sets ofmechanical infrastructure. In some embodiments, a set of mechanicalinfrastructure is selected and installed in the data center based on adetermination that the cooling support capacity of the set of mechanicalinfrastructure is the smallest amount of cooling support which makes upthe cooling support shortfall of the deployed sets of mechanicalinfrastructure.

Where data center 100 is initially constructed, and the number of rackcomputer systems 113 to be initially installed can be installed in asingle space 110, a primary power distribution system 102, instance ofpower transmission lines 107, and a set 179 of power distributioninfrastructure which comprises at least a single busway 114 in space 110can be installed, so that electrical power support can be provided tothe rack computer systems 113 installed in the space 110. A set of powersystem mechanical infrastructure 184 can be installed, concurrently withinstallation of power distribution systems 102A-B, to provide coolingsupport to the systems 102A-B, and a set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 180 can be installed, concurrently with installation ofthe set 179 of power distribution infrastructure in the space 110, toprovide cooling support to the infrastructure set 179 and rack computersystems 113 which can be installed in the space 110.

As the computing capacity requirement for the data center 100 increasesover time, additional rack computer systems 113 can be installed in theinitial space 110 to provide additional computing capacity until theavailable space in which the rack computer systems 113 can be installedin the initial space 110 is exhausted, at which point at least oneadditional busway 114 is installed in another space 110, and theadditional busway 114 coupled to a primary power distribution system 102via one or more instances of power transmission lines 107, so that rackcomputer systems 113 can be installed in the another space 110 andreceive electrical power support from the additional busway 114. Inaddition, sets of mechanical infrastructure 180 can be incrementallyinstalled concurrently with incremental installation of separate sets ofpower distribution infrastructure so that the incremental expansion incooling support to one or more spaces 110 corresponds to incrementalexpansion of computing capacity and electrical infrastructure to supportthe incrementally expanded computing capacity.

In some embodiments, one or more busways 114 is comprised of a series ofbusway segments which are coupled in series. One of the busway segmentscomprising a power busway 114 can include a busway stub segment which iscoupled to one or more power transmission lines 107A-B. The busway stubsegment can be installed as part of installation of one or more primarypower distribution systems 102A-B in the data center 100, where thebusway stub segment provides a placeholder location in a given space110, at which additional busway segments can be coupled to the primarypower distribution segment, via serially coupling with the busway stubsegment, to establish a power busway.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data center includingmultiple sets of electrical and mechanical infrastructure configured toprovide electrical power support and cooling support to rack computersystems in various computer spaces, according to some embodiments. Thedata center 200 can include the data center 100 shown in FIG. 1. Themechanical infrastructure 212, 270A-D, 280 illustrated in FIG. 2 can beincluded in any of the embodiments of data centers included herein,including the data center 100 shown in FIG. 1.

Data center 200 includes multiple separate spaces 201-202 in whichseparate components, also referred to herein as instances of hardware,instances of equipment, etc. are installed. For example, space 201includes one or more power distribution systems 210 which are configuredto provide electrical power support to one or more sets 260 ofelectrical loads 262 included in space 202 of a data center 200. A powerdistribution system 210 can include a transformer, which receives andsteps down utility power received from a utility power feed, a generatorwhich can provide back-up power, a switchgear which can selectivelyswitch between distributing power from either the transformer or thegenerator, one or more uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) which canreceive power distributed by the switchgear and can provide anuninterruptible supply of electrical power, and a power distributionpanelboard which distributes electrical power from the primary powerdistribution system. It will be understood that a power distributionsystem can include additional components, different components, etc.,including a critical distribution board, a utility switchboard, etc.

In addition, data center 200 includes a set of power system mechanicalinfrastructure 212 which is configured to provide cooling support to thepower distribution system. To provide such cooling support, theinfrastructure 212 can be configured to be installed proximate to system210 and induce one or more cooling air streams which remove heat fromone or more heat generating components included in the system 210. Insome embodiments, to be configured to provide cooling support to system210, the infrastructure 212 can be configured to remove sufficient heatfrom heat generating components of system 210, when system 210 issupplying an amount of electrical power which supports the plurality ofrack computer systems 262 in each of the spaces 240A-D of data center200, to cause the operating temperatures of each of the componentsincluded in the power distribution system 210 to remain below associatedhigh-temperature thresholds.

As shown, electrical power distributed from a power distribution system210 is distributed, in parallel via one or more instances 232 of powertransmission lines, to separate sets of power distributioninfrastructure 250A-D via busway disconnect switches 234A-D, where eachset 250 includes a power busway 254, is located in a separate space240A-D, and is coupled, via one or more instances 264 of powertransmission lines, to one or more sets 260 of electrical loads 262which are located in the same space 240 as the respective busway 254. Asa result, electrical power distributed from a primary power distributionsystem 210 can be distributed, in parallel, to multiple sets 260 ofelectrical loads 262 located in multiple separate spaces 240. In someembodiments, the electrical loads 262 include one or more rack computersystems, each set 260 comprises a row of rack computer systems, eachspace 240 comprises an aisle along which two rows 260 of rack computersystems 262 extend in parallel, where each space 240, and powerdistribution infrastructure 200, is located in a data center.

Each power busway included in a given set 250 includes multiple buswaysegments, including a busway stub segment 252 and at least oneadditional busway segment coupled to the busway stub segment 252 toestablish the busway 254. A busway stub segment, of a given powerbusway, is located at a “proximate end” of the busway 250 and iscoupled, via an instance 235 of power transmission lines, to aparticular busway disconnect switch 234. A busway disconnect switch 234can selectively electrically couple or isolate a given coupledtransmission line 235 to a line 232, thereby selectively electricallycoupling or isolating a given busway stub segment 252 coupled to theswitch 234 via the given line 235, and thus the set of powerdistribution infrastructure 250 coupled to the given line 235, to theprimary power distribution system 210.

In some embodiments, one or more power distribution systems 210 caninclude one or more additional power distribution components, includingone or more utility switchboards which is configured to selectivelydistribute power from one or more of a transformer or generator poweroutput, one or more critical distribution panel boards, etc.

Data center 200 includes separate sets 270A-D of mechanicalinfrastructure which are each configured to provide cooling support toelectrical loads 262 included in separate corresponding spaces 240A-D.As shown each set of mechanical infrastructure 270 is installedproximate to the corresponding space 240 which includes thecorresponding sets 260 of electrical loads to which the set ofmechanical infrastructure is configured to provide cooling support. Eachset of mechanical infrastructure 270 can be configured to provide acertain cooling support capacity which is associated with the amount ofelectrical power which the set of power distribution infrastructure 250which can be installed in the corresponding space 240 is configured tosupply. For example, where the set 250 in space 240A is configured toprovide a particular amount of electrical power, the corresponding set270A of mechanical infrastructure can be configured to provide at leastan amount of cooling support which results in removing at least acertain amount of generated heat which is associated with the particularamount of electrical power provided by the set 250 in space 240A.

Data center 200 includes one or more sets of common mechanicalinfrastructure 280 which are configured to support operation of one ormore sets of mechanical infrastructure 270, 212 included in the datacenter 200. In some embodiments, a set of common mechanicalinfrastructure provides one or more fluids which are utilized by one ormore sets of mechanical infrastructure to provide cooling support. Forexample, set 280 can include an intake air header configured to provideintake air to the sets of mechanical infrastructure 270A-D. In anotherexample, 280 can include a coolant circulation plant, which can includea water chiller plant, which is configured to circulate a coolant to andfrom sets 270 of mechanical infrastructure, remove heat from saidcoolant, some combination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, common mechanical infrastructure 280 can includemultiple sets of mechanical infrastructure which can be incrementallyinstalled, so that infrastructure support, including cooling support,provided by the common mechanical infrastructure 280 to the variousspaces 240 is incrementally expanded. Some mechanical infrastructure caninclude discrete instances of mechanical infrastructure which extendfrom the common mechanical infrastructure to separate rows and provideat least a portion of the mechanical support provided by the commonmechanical infrastructure to a separate space.

In some embodiments, the separate instances of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 270 illustrated in FIG. 2 can include separate instancesof mechanical infrastructure which couple the common mechanicalinfrastructure to separate spaces and instances of mechanicalinfrastructure which comprise portions of the common mechanicalinfrastructure which, when installed, provide at least a portion ofmechanical infrastructure support to each of the spaces 240 to which thecommon mechanical infrastructure is coupled. For example, each set ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure 270 included in FIG. 2 caninclude one or more instances of mechanical infrastructure, includingone or more of an air duct, damper, etc., which directs a portion ofcooling air supplied by the common mechanical infrastructure to aparticular computer space and can further include one or more instancesof mechanical infrastructure, including one or more air handing units,air cooling units, etc., which is installed as an incremental portion ofthe common mechanical infrastructure 280 and, in combination with anyother installed mechanical infrastructure in common mechanicalinfrastructure 280, collectively supply cooling air which is directed byvarious installed mechanical infrastructure which connects theinfrastructure 280 to various spaces 240, to the separate spaces 240 asseparate streams of cooling air.

In some embodiments, the power distribution system 210, powerdistribution infrastructure 250, mechanical infrastructure 212, 280,270, etc. is installed incrementally to support incremental installationof electrical loads 262 in the various spaces 240. For example,electrical loads 262 can be initially installed in space 240A and notspaces 240B-D, such that at least some of the infrastructure 250, 210,232, 270, 212, 280 is not needed, initially, to support installed loads262. For example, sets of power distribution infrastructure 250 inspaces 240B-D, and sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure270B-D, may not be required to provide power support and cooling supportto electrical loads 262 if electrical loads are not initially installedin spaces 240B-D. As a result, electrical and mechanical infrastructurecan be initially installed with sufficient infrastructure components,equipment, etc. to support the installed loads without installing excessinfrastructure which would be needed to support presently-uninstalledloads in other spaces. As additional loads 262 are installed inadditional spaces 240, infrastructure needed to support the additionalloads can be installed. As a result, capital expenditures associatedwith installing power distribution infrastructure can be deferred untilneeded to support installed loads, so that capital expenditure oninfrastructure resources which may lie unused at a site can bemitigated.

In some embodiments, electrical and mechanical infrastructure equipmentinstalled at a data center are commissioned, individually andcollectively, to verify that the components and the installedinfrastructure are configured to support operation of at least someloads which will be installed at the site.

For example, where an installed set of power distribution infrastructurein a power distribution infrastructure is configured to support 3000 KWaof electrical power consumption by installed loads, which can bereferred to as the power support capacity of the power distributioninfrastructure, commissioning the power distribution infrastructure caninclude verifying that the installed power distribution infrastructurecomponents can actually support 3000 KWa of electrical powerconsumption. In another example, where a data center is configured tosupport a set of loads which collectively consume 5000 KWa of electricalpower, referred to herein as a total electrical power consumption of thedata center, commissioning a power distribution system installed at thedata center can include verifying that the power distribution system canactually support the total electrical power consumption of the datacenter.

In addition, where an installed set of mechanical infrastructure isconfigured to remove at least 100 BTU/hr from a space, commissioning theset of mechanical infrastructure can include verifying that the set ofmechanical infrastructure can actually remove at least 100 BTU/hr fromthe space.

Commissioning at least some of electrical infrastructure can includeperforming various tests on various portions of the electricalinfrastructure, including testing some or all of an installed powerdistribution system, testing some or all of an installed set of powerdistribution infrastructure, etc. Such testing can include coupling theone or more components in the electrical infrastructure to one or moreload banks, where a load bank can generate an amount of electrical powerconsumption which corresponds to electrical power consumption by one ormore electrical loads which can be installed at the site. As a result,the load bank can serve as a test load which simulates the electricalpower consumption by one or more live loads.

In addition, commissioning at least some of mechanical infrastructurecan include performing various tests on various portions of themechanical infrastructure, which can include operating one or morecomponents of an installed set of mechanical infrastructure concurrentlywith testing various portions of the electrical infrastructure, suchthat the set of mechanical infrastructure is tested with regard to beingable to remove heat generated as a result of testing the variousportions of the electrical infrastructure. For example, where electricalinfrastructure is tested via operating one or more test loads whichsimulates electrical consumption by live loads, heat can be generated bythe test loads and the electrical infrastructure supporting the testloads, and one or more sets of mechanical infrastructure can be testedvia operating the one or more sets of mechanical infrastructure toremove the generated heat. A mechanical infrastructure set can becommissioned based on determining that, as a result of operating themechanical infrastructure concurrently with supporting test loads viaone or more sets of electrical infrastructure, operating temperaturesassociated with one or more portions of the data center in which one ormore of the electrical infrastructure, test loads, etc. are locatedremain below one or more high-temperature thresholds associated with oneor more of the electrical infrastructure, electrical loads, etc.

In some embodiments, a data center is configured to support electricalpower consumption and cooling of a certain amount of electrical loads.Such configuration can include the data center including an electricalinfrastructure which is configured to provide an amount of electricalpower support which at least meets an amount of electrical powerconsumption by the certain amount of electrical loads, and mechanicalinfrastructure which is configured to provide an amount of cooling whichat least meets the amount of heat generated by the certain amount ofelectrical loads, which enables the loads to operate at a certain level.The amount of electrical power consumption can be referred to as theelectrical power consumption requirements of the certain amount ofelectrical loads, where the electrical power support provided by theelectrical infrastructure is required to at least meet the electricalpower consumption requirements of the certain amount of electricalloads. The amount of heat generated by the loads can be referred to asthe cooling requirements of the certain amount of electrical loads,where the cooling support provided by the mechanical infrastructure isrequired to at least meet the cooling requirements of the certain amountof electrical loads.

As referred to herein, electrical loads installed at the site caninclude live loads which are supported by the power distributioninfrastructure. The total amount of electrical consumption requirementswhich the electrical infrastructure is configured to at least meet canbe referred to herein as the total live load which can be installed inthe site, which comprises the collective live loads generated by theamount of devices which can be installed at the site. Where the siteincludes multiple spaces in which one or more separate sets of devicescan be installed, the total amount of electrical consumption which thepower distribution infrastructure is configured to support in each spacecan be referred to as the maximum electrical power consumption of thespace.

In some embodiments, incrementally installing mechanical infrastructurein a data center includes initially installing a certain initial set ofminimum mechanical infrastructure which provides a minimum amount ofcooling support to support operation of at least one live load. Suchinitial installation can include installing a set of power systemmechanical infrastructure which is configured to provide cooling supportto at least one power distribution system which is configured to providepower support to the at least one live load and installing a set ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure which is configured to providecooling support to the at least one live load.

In some embodiments, where incrementally installing mechanicalinfrastructure includes initially installing a certain amount of minimummechanical infrastructure to support at least one live load, theincrementally installing further comprises commissioning the initiallyinstalled mechanical infrastructure before installing live loads. Suchcommissioning can include commissioning initially-installed electricalinfrastructure which provides a minimum amount of electrical powersupport to support the at least one live load and concurrentlycommissioning the initially-installed minimum mechanical infrastructurebased on heat generated as a result of commissioning theinitially-installed electrical infrastructure. Where the data centerincludes multiple spaces in which separate sets of live loadscollectively generate a maximum electrical power consumption of thespaces in which the loads are installed, commissioning aninitially-installed electrical infrastructure can include verifying thatan installed power distribution system can support the maximumelectrical power consumption of the plurality of spaces which the systemis configured to support and verifying that an installed set of powerdistribution infrastructure included in a space is configured to supporta quantity of electrical loads which can be installed in the space inwhich the installed set of power distribution infrastructure is located.

In some embodiments, an initially-installed power distribution system isconfigured to support live loads in multiple separate spaces in a datacenter, including spaces in which sets of power distributioninfrastructure are not initially installed as part of initiallyinstalling a certain amount of minimum electrical infrastructure tosupport at least one live load. Commissioning the initial powerdistribution system can include verifying that the initial powerdistribution system is configured to support the maximum electricalpower consumption of the multiple spaces. As a result, where the initialpower distribution system has a power support capacity which at leastmeets the total live load which can be installed in the multiple spaces,commissioning the initial power distribution system includes verifyingthat the power distribution capacity of the initial primary powerdistribution system at least meets the total live load which can beinstalled in the multiple spaces.

In some embodiments, a set of power system mechanical infrastructure isconfigured to provide cooling support to at least the initiallyinstalled power distribution system. As a result, a set of power systemmechanical infrastructure can be installed based on installation of theinitial power distribution system. Commissioning the power systemmechanical infrastructure can include verifying that the power systemmechanical infrastructure is configured to support sufficient cooling ofthe initially-installed power distribution system so that operationaltemperatures of the initially-installed power distribution system remainbelow one or more high-temperature thresholds when the initiallyinstalled power distribution system supplies an amount of power whichcorresponds to the power support capacity of the initially-installedpower distribution system.

Where the multiple spaces which the initial power distribution system isconfigured to support include spaces in which sets of power distributioninfrastructure are not initially installed, the initial installation ofthe electrical infrastructure includes installing at least someinstances of electrical infrastructure which extend to each of themultiple spaces in electrical parallel. Such installation can includeinstalling power transmission lines and power distribution components,including busways, bus ducts, etc., which terminate in separate buswaystub segments proximate to separate spaces of the multiple spaces. Eachbusway stub segment can be a portion of a separate future power buswaywhich can be coupled to a power distribution system, including a buswaysegment which comprises one end of a future power busway which can beinstalled as part of future incremental installation of the electricalinfrastructure.

Each busway stub segment can be coupled, via a power transmission line,to a separate busway disconnect switch, which is itself coupled, inparallel with other busway disconnect switches, to a power distributionsystem, such that a given busway disconnect switch is configured toselectively electrically couple or isolate a given busway stub segmentfrom the power distribution system. Each busway stub segment can bemounted in a particular position relative to a separate space, such thatthe busway stub segment serves as a structural placeholder for thefuture position of a future power busway which can be installed in thespace as part of future incremental installation of the electricalinfrastructure.

In some embodiments, where initial installation of a minimum amount ofan electrical and mechanical infrastructure includes installing aninitial power distribution system, power system mechanicalinfrastructure, an initial set of power distribution infrastructure, andan initial set of mechanical infrastructure in an association with aninitial space of a site, along with electrical infrastructure extendingto each of the remaining spaces of the site in which sets of powerdistribution infrastructure and mechanical infrastructure are notinstalled, commissioning the initial power distribution system caninclude electrically coupling a set of load banks to the powerdistribution system, where the load banks collectively generate a totalamount of electrical power consumption which simulates the maximumelectrical power consumption which can be installed in the multiplespaces of the site and electrically coupled to the initial primary powerdistribution system, to verify that the power distribution is configuredto support the maximum electrical power consumption which can beinstalled in the multiple spaces and electrically coupled to the initialprimary power distribution system.

As a result of simulating the maximum electrical power consumption whichcan be installed in the multiple spaces of the site, to verify that thepower distribution is configured to support the maximum electrical powerconsumption which can be installed in the multiple spaces andelectrically coupled to the initial primary power distribution system,the power distribution system can generate heat as a result of supplyingelectrical power to provide such support. The generated heat correspondsto the heat generation as a result of supporting the maximum electricalpower consumption which can be installed in the multiple spaces. Thepower system mechanical infrastructure can be operated to providecooling support to the power distribution system concurrently with thepower distribution system providing such support and generating heat.Where the power system mechanical infrastructure provides sufficientcooling support to the power distribution system, via removing heat fromthe power distribution system, to cause the operating temperaturesassociated with the power distribution system to be precluded from atleast meeting high temperature thresholds, the power system mechanicalinfrastructure can be verified as being configured to provide coolingsupport to the power distribution system.

Coupling a set of load banks to the initial primary power distributionsystem can include coupling separate load banks to separate sets ofpower distribution infrastructure, power transmission lines, etc. sothat the set of load banks are electrically coupled to the initial powerdistribution system in parallel and can collectively simulate themaximum electrical power consumption which can be installed in themultiple spaces via the separate maximum electrical power consumptionswhich can be installed in the separate spaces. As a result,commissioning the initial power distribution system can includecommissioning the instances of electrical infrastructure which extend tothe various spaces, as well as commissioning the initial sets of powerdistribution infrastructure installed in one or more spaces. Eachseparate load bank can be configured to provide a separate test loadwhich corresponds to the maximum electrical power consumption which canbe installed a given space of the site, and separate load banks can becoupled to separate sets of power distribution infrastructure installedin separate spaces in the data center.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating commissioning a power systemmechanical infrastructure and one or more sets of computer spacemechanical infrastructure, concurrently with commissioning a powerdistribution system and one or more installed initial sets of electricalinfrastructure in initial computer spaces of a data center, according tosome embodiments. The data center 200 can include the data center 100shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3A, initial installation of electrical infrastructurein a data center 200 includes installing an initial power distributionsystem 210, a set of power transmission lines 232, busway disconnectswitches 234A-D, and busway stub segments 252A-D which extend theelectrical infrastructure to each separate space 240A-D, and installinginitial sets of power distribution infrastructure 250A-B in spaces240A-B in which live loads are to be installed. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, each space 240 includes a total of 14 separateload spaces 261 in which separate live loads can be installed, and theillustrated installation of system 210, infrastructure 232, 234, 252A-D,and power distribution infrastructure sets 250A-B can be in response toa determination that more than 14 live loads are to be installed, suchthat power busways are required to be installed in at least two spaces240A-B to support the live loads.

As further shown in FIG. 3A, initial installation of mechanicalinfrastructure in a data center 200 includes installing a set of powersystem mechanical infrastructure 212 which is configured to providecooing support to power distribution system 210, installing separatesets of computer space mechanical infrastructure 270A-B which are eachconfigured to provide cooling support to power distributioninfrastructure 250 and live loads in separate spaces 240A-B, andinstalling common mechanical infrastructure 280 which is configured tosupport the sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure 270A-B. Insome embodiments, where some or all of the sets of computer spacemechanical infrastructure 270 are installed within common mechanicalinfrastructure 280, installing the common mechanical infrastructure 280includes installing, as part of the common mechanical infrastructure 280and in particular spaces included within a space associated with thecommon mechanical infrastructure, some or all of the sets of computerspace mechanical infrastructure 270A-B which supply cooling air to eachof the spaces 240A-B via instances of mechanical infrastructure whichdirect separate portions of the supplied cooling air to separate spaces240A-B. In some embodiments, where an entirety of each set of computerspace mechanical infrastructure 270 is separate from the commonmechanical infrastructure 280 which provides support to each of thespaces 240 linked thereto via the sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 270, each set of computer space mechanical infrastructure270 can be installed in a separate space 272 which is proximate to acorresponding computer space. As shown, because sets of computer spacemechanical infrastructure are not initially installed proximate tospaces 240C-D, spaces 272C-D remain exposed. In some embodiments, whereeach set of computer space mechanical infrastructure 270 includes one ormore particular instances of mechanical infrastructure which compriseincremental portions of the common mechanical infrastructure 280 and oneor more separate instances of mechanical infrastructure which direct atleast one separate portion of cooling air supplied by infrastructure 280to a separate space, installing a set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure associated with a given space 240 includes installing theone or more particular instances of mechanical infrastructure includedin the set in one or more spaces associated with the common mechanicalinfrastructure and installing the one or more separate instances ofmechanical infrastructure included in the set in at least onecorresponding space 272 which is proximate to the associated givencomputer space 240.

In some embodiments, initial installation of electrical infrastructureand mechanical infrastructure does not necessarily include installingadditional power distribution systems 210. In some embodiments, one ormore secondary power distribution systems, additional power distributionsystems 210, additional sets of power system mechanical infrastructure212, some combination thereof, etc. are installed as part of initialinstallation of electrical and mechanical infrastructure.

As shown, commissioning of the initially installed electricalinfrastructure, including system 210 and sets 250A-B, includeselectrically coupling a set of load banks 390A-D to the initial powerdistribution system 210 via the separate power pathways, through atleast infrastructure components 232, 234A-D, 235, 252A-D. Each separateload bank 390 can be a test load which is configured to generate anamount of electrical power consumption which corresponds to theelectrical power consumption by the maximum amount of live loads whichcan be installed in the spaces 261 in a given space 240, so that eachseparate load bank can simulate electrical power consumption by themaximum amount of live loads which can be installed in a separate space240 and the set of load banks can collectively simulate electrical powerconsumption by the maximum amount of live loads which can be installedin the multiple spaces 240A-D and supported by initial powerdistribution system 210.

As shown, load banks 390C-D are each coupled to separate solitary buswaystub segments 252C-D which are installed proximate to separate spaces240C-D, where the load banks 390C-D can be operated to simulateelectrical power consumption by the maximum amount of live loads whichcan be installed in the separate spaces 240C-D through infrastructurecomponents 232, 234C-D, 235, and 252C-D, thereby verifying that thetotal live loads which can be installed in the separate spaces 240C-Dcan be supported by the initial power distribution system 210 and atleast the electrical infrastructure 232, 234C-D, 235, 252C-D.

As shown, load banks 390A-B are each coupled to separate initial sets ofpower distribution infrastructure which are installed in separate spaces240A-B, where the load banks 390A-B can be operated to simulate theelectrical power consumption by the maximum amount of live loads whichcan be installed in the separate spaces 240A-B through infrastructurecomponents 232, 234C-D, 235, and sets of power distributioninfrastructure 250A-B, thereby verifying that electrical powerconsumption by the maximum amount of live loads which can be installedin the separate spaces 240A-B can be supported by the initial powerdistribution system 210 and at least the infrastructure 232, 234A-B,235, 252A-B.

As shown, the load banks 390A-B are coupled to the separate sets ofpower distribution infrastructure 250A-B at respective distal ends ofthe busways 254 included in the sets 250A-B, relative to the proximateends of the busways which are coupled to separate busway disconnectswitches 234A-B and thus the initial power distribution system. As aresult, operating the load banks 390A-B results in simulating theelectrical power consumption by the maximum amount of live loads whichcan be installed in the spaces 240A-B via the respective entire lengthsof the respective busways 254A-B, thereby enabling verification that thesets of power distribution infrastructure 250A-B are configured tosupport the electrical power consumption by the maximum amount of liveloads which can be installed in the separate space 240A-B along anentire length of the respective power busways included in the sets.

Commissioning the initially-installed electrical infrastructure shown inFIG. 3A can include operating all load banks 390A-D concurrently tosimulate the electrical power consumption by the maximum amount of liveloads which can be installed in all spaces 240A-D on the initial primarypower distribution system 210, so that the system 210 can be verified asbeing configured to support the maximum amount of live loads which canbe installed in all spaces 240A-D and sets 250A-B.

Commissioning the initially-installed set of power system mechanicalinfrastructure 212 shown in FIG. 3A can include operating the set ofpower system mechanical infrastructure 212 to provide cooling support tosystem 210, such that the infrastructure 212 removes heat generated bythe system 210 as a result of the system 210 supporting the test loadsgenerated by the load banks 390A-D. Because the test loads simulate theelectrical power consumption by the maximum amount of live loads whichcan be installed in the spaces 240A-D, and the power system 210 supportsthe test loads, the system 210 generates an amount of heat whichcorresponds to the heat generation which would result from supportingthe maximum amount of live loads which can be installed in the spaces240A-D. As a result of providing cooling support to system 210concurrently with system 210 supporting the test loads generated by loadbank 390A-D, the infrastructure 212 is verified as being configured toprovide cooling support to the power distribution system 210. Providingcooling support can include circulating one or more coolants through oneor more portions of the power distribution system 210, providing one ormore streams of cooling air which remove heat generated by one or moreportions of the system 210, etc. Providing cooling support can includeproviding one or more coolants, cooling air streams, etc. which removesufficient generated heat from the power distribution system 210 tocause the operating temperatures of the one or more portions of thesystem 210 to remain below a set of high temperature thresholdsassociated with the one or more portions.

Commissioning the initially-installed set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 270A-B shown in FIG. 3A can include operating the sets ofpower system mechanical infrastructure 270A-B to provide cooling supportto the load banks 390A-B and power distribution infrastructure sets250A-B located in spaces 240A-B, such that the infrastructure 270A-Bremoves heat generated by the load banks 390A-B and infrastructure sets250A-B as a result of the infrastructure sets 250A-B supplyingelectrical power to the load banks 390A-B to support the test loadswhich simulate electrical power consumption by the sets of electricalloads which can be installed in the spaces 240A-B. Because each testload 390 simulates the electrical power consumption by the maximumamount of live loads which can be installed in a respective space 240,and the set of power distribution infrastructure 250 installed in thespace 240 supports the test load in the space, the load bank 390 andinfrastructure set 250 located in a given space 240 generates an amountof heat which corresponds to the heat generation which would result fromsupporting the maximum amount of live loads which can be installed inthe given space. As a result of providing cooling support to the loadbanks 390 and sets of power distribution infrastructure in a given space240, concurrently with the set 250 supporting the test loads generatedby the load banks 390 in the space, the infrastructure 270 installedproximate to the space is verified as being configured to providecooling support to electrical loads and power distributioninfrastructure installed in the space 240. Providing cooling support caninclude circulating one or more coolants through one or more portions ofthe power space 240, providing one or more streams of cooling air whichremove heat generated by one or more portions of the space 240, etc.Providing cooling support can include providing one or more coolants,cooling air streams, etc. which remove sufficient generated heat fromthe space 240 to cause the operating temperatures of the one or moreportions of the space 240 to remain below a set of high temperaturethresholds associated with the one or more portions.

In some embodiments, commissioning an initial set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure is implemented in isolation from portions of afacility, including a data center, in which at least some of deployedelectrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, and electricalloads are absent. As a result, the initial sets of computer spacemechanical infrastructure can be verified as being configured to providecooling support to the particular one or more initial spaces,independently of any dissipation of the mechanical support provided bythe initial sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure amongstcomputer spaces in which one or more of electrical infrastructure,mechanical infrastructure, and electrical loads are not yet installed.The spaces in which one or more of electrical infrastructure, mechanicalinfrastructure, and electrical loads are not yet installed can bereferred to as a remainder of the data center.

In some embodiments, commissioning an initial set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure in isolation from a remainder of a data centerincludes erecting one or more partitions 284 which restrict airflowbetween the initial spaces 240A-B and at least a portion of theremainder of the data center 200 which includes the spaces 240C-D in forwhich sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure and powerdistribution infrastructure are not yet installed. In some embodiments,the partitioning can include at least partially partitioning at least aportion of the common mechanical infrastructure 280, via partitions 282,so that a particular portion 281 of the common mechanical infrastructure280 supports the installed sets 270A-B.

In some embodiments, where common mechanical infrastructure 280 includesseparate instances of mechanical infrastructure which are part ofseparate sets 270 of computer space mechanical infrastructure, erectedpartitions 282 within the common mechanical infrastructure can includepartitions between separate instances of mechanical infrastructure whichare included in separate sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure, such that cooling support provided by separate portionsof the common mechanical infrastructure are provided, independently ofeach other, to separate computer spaces 240 with which the separate setsof computer space mechanical infrastructure are associated.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating incremental installation andcommissioning of additional mechanical infrastructure, concurrently withincremental commissioning of additional sets of electricalinfrastructure in one or more additional computer spaces in a datacenter, according to some embodiments. The data center 200 can includethe data center 100 shown in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, incremental installation of additional electricalinfrastructure and mechanical infrastructure, subsequent to initialinstallation of a power distribution system and at least one initial setof power distribution infrastructure, includes installing andcommissioning an additional set of power distribution infrastructure anda corresponding additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure concurrently with the installed power distribution systemsupporting a live load.

As shown in FIG. 4, initial sets of power distribution infrastructure250A-B and computer space mechanical infrastructure 270A-B are installedin association with spaces 240A-B and two separate sets 260 of liveloads 262 are installed in each of spaces 240A-B, so that the powerdistribution system 210 is supporting electrical power consumption bythe total live loads 262 installed in spaces 240A-B, the set of powersystem mechanical infrastructure 212 is supporting cooling of the powerdistribution system 210 concurrently with system 210 supportingelectrical power consumption by the total live loads 262 installed inspaces 240A-B, and the sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure270A-B are supporting cooling of the live loads 262 and sets of powerdistribution infrastructure 250A-B installed in spaces 240A-B.

As shown, installing an additional set of power distributioninfrastructure 250C in a space 240C includes coupling additional buswaysegments in series to the busway stub segment 252C which is alreadypresent in the space 240C. Installing an additional set of computerspace mechanical infrastructure 270C proximate to space 240C can includecoupling the set 270C to support infrastructure 280.

In some embodiments, commissioning an additional set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure is implemented in isolation from thepreviously-installed sets of mechanical infrastructure, also referred toherein as deployed sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure,installed in the data center and the spaces of the data center in whichlive loads are installed and operating, so that the live loads supportedby the deployed sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure areisolated from the additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure during commissioning of the additional set of computerspace mechanical infrastructure. As a result, the additional set ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure can be verified as beingconfigured to provide cooling support to a space based on the heatremoval from the space being influenced by the additional set ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure independently of the otherinstalled sets of computer space mechanical infrastructure, live loads,etc. In addition, heat generated in an additional space as a result ofcommissioning electrical infrastructure and mechanical infrastructure inthe additional space is precluded from affecting cooling support of liveloads in a remainder of portions of the data center.

In some embodiments, commissioning an additional set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure in isolation from a remainder of a data centerincludes erecting one or more partitions 290 which restrict airflowbetween the additional space 240C and at least a portion of theremainder of the data center 200 which includes the spaces 240A-B inwhich live loads are located and are receiving cooling support from sets270A-B. In some embodiments, the partitioning can include at leastpartially partitioning at least a portion of the common mechanicalinfrastructure 280, via partitions 292, so that a particular portion282A of the common mechanical infrastructure 280 supports the installedsets 270A-B and thus supports cooling of the live loads independently ofthe portion 282B which provides support to set 270C being commissioned.

In some embodiments, commissioning an additional set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure in isolation from the live loads and installedsets of computer space mechanical infrastructure includes electricallycoupling the additional set of power distribution infrastructure 250Cinstalled in space 240C to a load bank 390C, where the load bank isconfigured to generate an amount of electrical power consumption whichcorresponds to the electrical power consumption by the maximum amount oflive loads which can be installed in the same space 240C as the set250C. As a result, the load bank can simulate the electrical powerconsumption by the maximum amount of live loads which can be installedin the space. The test load can be used to verify that the additionalset of power distribution infrastructure 250C is configured to supportthe maximum amount of live loads which can be installed in the space. Inaddition, the load bank 390C and the set 250C can generate heat as aresult of the load bank 390C generating the test load and the set ofpower distribution infrastructure 250C supplying power to support thetest load. As shown, the load bank 390C is coupled to a distal end ofthe busway included in the set 250C, so that electrical power issupplied through an entirety of the busway to support the test load,thereby enabling verification that the power busway in set 250C cansupport the total live load which can be installed in the space alongits entire length.

Commissioning the additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure 270C can include operating the set 270C so that the setprovides cooling support, via one or more of provided coolantcirculation through space 240C, provided cooling air through space 240C,some combination thereof, etc., so that the set 270C removes, from space240C, heat generated as a result of the set 250C supporting the testload generated by bank 390C.

Upon completion of the verification, commissioning of set 270C can becompleted, upon which the set 370C can be adjusted, via operation of oneor more computer systems, to operate in unison with the installed setsof computer space mechanical infrastructure 270A-B. Upon completion ofthe adjustment, partitions 290, 292 can be removed, and the sets ofcomputer space mechanical infrastructure 270A-C can be operated inunison.

In some embodiments, commissioning one or more sets of mechanicalinfrastructure, including one or more sets of power system mechanicalinfrastructure, one or more sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure, some combination thereof, etc. is implementedindependently of installation and commissioning of electricalinfrastructure. For example, where an amount of heat which a set ofmechanical infrastructure is configured to remove within a certainperiod of elapsed time can be associated with one or more of aparticular volumetric flow rate of air, flow velocity of air, mass flowrate of air, etc., verifying the set of mechanical infrastructure asbeing configured to remove the amount of heat can include installing theset of mechanical infrastructure, operating the mechanicalinfrastructure so that the set of mechanical infrastructure induces anair flow through a space, and verifying, via sensor data generated byone or more sensor devices located in the space, that the air flowgenerated by the set of mechanical infrastructure at least meets the oneor more of the particular volumetric flow rate of air, flow velocity ofair, mass flow rate of air, etc., which is associated with the amount ofheat that the set of mechanical infrastructure is configured to removewithin a given period of time.

FIG. 4 illustrates initial installation and commissioning of mechanicalinfrastructure to support an initial set of electrical loads in a datacenter, according to some embodiments. The initial installation andcommissioning can be implemented with regard to any of the embodimentsof mechanical infrastructure, power distribution systems, powerdistribution infrastructures, etc. included herein.

At 410, a minimum amount of support infrastructure which is configuredto support at least one live load in a data center is installed, alsoreferred to herein as being deployed, in a data center. At 402, theminimum infrastructure deployment includes installing an initial powerdistribution system which comprises a power distribution system. A powerdistribution system can include one or more power distributioncomponents, which can include one or more transformers, generators,transfer switches, distribution switchboards, uninterruptible powersupplies, power distribution units, power distribution panels, somecombination thereof, etc. In some embodiments, where a data center isconfigured to accommodate multiple primary power distribution systems,the installing at 402 can include one or more of installing a singlepower distribution system, multiple independent power distributionsystems, etc. In some embodiments, installing a power distributionsystem can include installing at least a portion of an Electric PowerMonitoring System (EPMS).

At 404, the minimum infrastructure deployment includes installing a setof power system mechanical infrastructure which is configured to providecooling support to the installed initial power distribution system. At406, the minimum infrastructure deployment includes installing one ormore instances of common mechanical infrastructure, including one ormore coolant plants, intake air headers, etc. which support theinstalled power system mechanical infrastructure.

At 420, a determination is made regarding whether to deploy an initialcomputer space, prior to commissioning the installed power distributionsystem and power system mechanical infrastructure. If so, at 430,initial computer space infrastructure configured to support at least onelive load in an initial computer space is deployed.

At 432, deploying the initial computer space infrastructure configuredto support at least one live load in an initial computer space includesinstalling an initial set of power distribution infrastructure inassociation with the initial computer space. The initial set of powerdistribution infrastructure can include a power busway which extendsthrough the initial computer space and is configured to supplyelectrical power from the power distribution system to a set of liveloads installed in the initial computer space.

At 434, deploying the initial computer space infrastructure configuredto support at least one live load in an initial computer space includesinstalling an initial set of computer space mechanical infrastructure inassociation with the initial computer space. The initial set of computerspace mechanical infrastructure can include one or more air handlingunits, air cooling units, air moving devices, coolant circulationdevices, etc. which are installed in one or more positons proximate tothe initial computer space and are configured to remove heat generatedby live loads, power distribution infrastructure, etc. in the initialcomputer space.

At 440, installed support infrastructure in the data center iscommissioned as being configured to support live loads. Thecommissioning at 440 includes, at 442, commissioning the powerdistribution system. Such commissioning can include, as part ofverifying that the power distribution system is configured to supportelectrical power consumption by a plurality of sets of electrical loadsin the data center, coupling a set of load banks, where each load bankis configured to generate a test load which simulates the electricalpower consumption of a separate set of electrical loads, in parallelwith the power distribution system, so that the electrical powerconsumption of the plurality of sets of electrical loads is simulated bya plurality of test loads generated by the load banks, and the powerdistribution system is operated to support the test load. Where thepower distribution system supports the test load, the power distributionsystem can be verified as being configured to support electrical powerconsumption by the plurality of electrical loads.

The commissioning at 440 includes, at 444, commissioning the powersystem mechanical infrastructure. Such commissioning at 444 can beimplemented concurrently with the commissioning, at 442, of the powerdistribution system. Operating the power distribution system to supportthe test loads generated by the plurality of load banks coupled inparallel with the power distribution system can result in one or morepower distribution components, instances of power distributioninfrastructure, etc. included in the power distribution systemgenerating heat. Because the power distribution system is supporting acollective test load which simulates the electrical power consumption ofthe plurality of sets of electrical loads, the amount of heat generatedby the power distribution system as a result of providing such supportcan correspond to the amount of heat generated by the power distributionsystem concurrently with providing electrical power support to theplurality of sets of electrical loads. The commissioning, at 444, caninclude operating one or more portions of the power system mechanicalinfrastructure to remove heat generated by one or more portions of thepower distribution system, concurrently with the power distributionsystem supporting the simulated electrical power consumption of theplurality of sets of electrical loads.

The power system mechanical infrastructure can be verified as providingsufficient cooling support to the power distribution system, where suchsupport can be provided via one or more of one or more cooling airstreams, circulated coolant streams, etc., where the power systemsmechanical infrastructure removes sufficient amounts of heat from thepower distribution system to maintain steady-state operatingtemperatures of one or more portions of the power distribution systembeneath one or more high-temperature thresholds associated with the oneor more portions. Where the power system mechanical infrastructurecauses the steady-state operating temperatures of the one or moreportions of the power distribution system to remain beneath one or morehigh-temperature thresholds associated with the one or more portions,concurrently with the power distribution system supporting the simulatedelectrical power consumption of the plurality of sets of electricalloads, the power system mechanical infrastructure can be verified asbeing configured to support the power distribution system.

In some embodiments, the commissioning at 444 includes implementingvarious component-level tests with regard to the power system mechanicalinfrastructure. Such testing can include implementing testing of variousindividual components, also referred to herein as instances ofequipment, included in the set of power system mechanicalinfrastructure.

Where the power system mechanical infrastructure includes one or morecomponents which include one or more air handling units, suchcomponent-level testing of an air handling unit can include one or moreof recording one or more of a unit tag, model number, serial number,etc. associated with various components; physical confirmation of properunit installation; verifying execution of start and stop commands by theunit from one or more of a unit webpage and a building automation system(BAS) server, such that the unit is verified as moving to properpositions when the unit is commanded to be turned on and turned off;commanding the unit to operate in free cooling mode and confirming mixedair temperature and supply air temperature control, along with damperresponse; commanding the unit to operate in evaporative cooling mode andconfirming supply air temperature control damper response and localcontrol of evaporative cooling components; commanding unit air movingdevice operating speeds via a BAS to verify unit response to commandsand stable air moving device operations across an entire operatingrange; verifying a dryout cycle function and duration when switching theunit from evaporative cooling to free cooling; verify dump cycleoperation, schedule, and duration, including verifying that the dumpcycle only initiates while the unit is in free cooling mode andverifying a duration is appropriate to completely empty sump; verifyingoperation of local unit hand/off/auto (HOA) selector switch, where theHOA switch is placed in each position and unit response is verified;overriding the unit to purge mode locally and verifying unit response;and verifying component responses to component failures and alarmconditions.

Where the power system mechanical infrastructure includes one or morecomponents which include one or more air moving devices, exhaust airfans, such component-level testing of such a device can include one ormore of recording one or more of recording one or more of a tag, modelnumber, and serial number of the device; physically confirming properdevice installation; verifying start and stop commands from a BAS andverifying that device components move to proper positions when thedevice is commanded on and off; commanding device fan speed via BAS toverify that the device responds to commands and a fan included thereinoperates stably across an entire operating range; placing the device inlocal control and operating the device at limits and verifying properdevice response and BAS monitoring; overriding the device to purge modelocally and verifying device response; and verifying device responses tocomponent failures and alarm conditions.

Where the set of power system mechanical infrastructure includes one ormore additional unitary components, including one or more split systems,energy recovery ventilators, roof top air handling units, etc., suchcomponent-level testing of such a component can include one or more ofrecording one or more of a tag, model number, and serial number of thecomponent; physically confirming proper component installation;verifying normal operation of the component in conjunction with any BAScontrol and monitoring verification; and verifying component responsesto component failures and alarm conditions.

In some embodiments, the commissioning at 444 includes implementingvarious system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure.

Where the set of power system mechanical infrastructure includes one ormore HVAC systems, the system-level tests can include one or more ofverifying system response when entire system is disabled; verifyingsystem startup response when enabled; verifying that system operatingmode is correctly selected based on ambient conditions; verifying systemoperation once operating in both free cooling mode and evaporativecooling mode; verifying system transition between modes; verifying thatthe system operates in unison as required; verifying that the supply airtemperature setpoint for the system is reset as necessary based onambient conditions; verifying system operation based on fan speed of asupply fan included in the system; verifying that the system operatesstably to maintain a current setpoint and any reset range; verifying fanspeed setpoint adjusts to maintain control parameters; verifying systemoperation based on room versus vs. ambient air setpoints; verifying thatthe system operates stably to maintain current setpoint and any resetrange; verifying system response when a central BAS controller is failedwhile operating under loaded conditions; verifying system response tofailures of CRAHU's and EF's while operating under loaded conditions;verifying system response to activation of purge mode while operatingunder loaded conditions, where purge mode is initiated automatically bychanging a setpoint at a purge panel; and performing capacityverification on the system load.

Where the set of common mechanical infrastructure includes one or moreindustrial water systems, the system-level tests can include one or moreof recording one or more of a tag, model number, and serial number ofthe component; physically confirming proper component installation;verifying system operation and BAS monitoring while operating only onutility water pressure; verifying system operation and BAScontrol/monitoring of UV skids and tank water treatment control;verifying system operation and BAS control/monitoring when placed in drystorage mode and storage tanks are drained for off season operation;verifying system operating and BAS control/monitoring upon deactivationfrom dry storage mode and enter tank fill mode to fill storage tanks;verifying system operation and BAS control/monitoring with systemoperation utilizing storage tank water; monitoring system performanceand ensuring that it is able to meet system demand with system operatingin evaporative cooling mode and all AHU's and CRAH's in demand formake-up water; and verifying system responses to component failures andalarm conditions.

In some embodiments, the commissioning at 444 includes implementingvarious integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of thepower system mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances ofinstalled common mechanical infrastructure. Such testing can include oneor more of verifying loading of the power system mechanicalinfrastructure supporting the power distribution system, where BAStemperature, humidity, and differential pressure sensors in the roomsare employed to record and trend the HVAC operating conditionsthroughout the test. The test can begin with no load bank load on thepower distribution system. Load bank load can be applied in varioussteps. Load can continue to be stepped until reaching design electricalload for the plurality of sets of electrical loads. Proper reaction fromthe mechanical infrastructure can be documented and can be expected toreach steady state between the load steps up to design full electricalload.

Integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure can include, with the data center atfull available load, initiating a loss of the utility service at themain switchboard of the power distribution system and verifying facilitycritical load is carried on the UPS system as the facility transfers tothe diesel Generators, verifying that mechanical infrastructure restartsand that space temperatures or critical equipment rooms remains withinthresholds.

Integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure can include, with the data centeroperating on generator at full available load, restoring the utilityservice at the main switchboard of the power distribution system,verifying that the loads are transferred back to the utility service,verifying that mechanical infrastructure restarts and that spacetemperatures or critical equipment rooms remains within thresholds.

Integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure can include verifying mechanical systemredundancy while under full load conditions. Test will occur while underfull electrical load. Redundant components can be disabled and systemresponses can be monitored. Temperature and relative humidity levels aremonitored for returns to steady state conditions while the redundantmechanical equipment are not available for use.

Integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure can include verifying mechanical systemresponse to the loss of utility water supply while operating under fullload conditions with the CRAH units operating in evaporative coolingmode.

Integrated system-level tests with regard to one or more of the powersystem mechanical infrastructure and one or more instances of installedcommon mechanical infrastructure can include verifying unloading of themechanical infrastructure. BAS temperature, humidity, and differentialpressure sensors in the rooms can be employed to record and trend theHVAC operating conditions throughout the test. The test can begin withload banks loaded to design electrical load. Load bank load can bereduced in various steps. Load can continue to be stepped down untilreaching no load bank load. Proper reaction from the AHU's, CRAHU's, andEF's can be documented and systems can be expected to reach steady statebetween the load steps down from design full electrical load.

In some embodiments, where one or more initial computer spaces aredeployed at 430, the commissioning at 440 can include commissioning aninitial computer space power distribution infrastructure set at 446 andconcurrently commissioning an initial set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure at 448. Such commissioning can include, as part ofcommissioning the power distribution system at 442, coupling one or moreload banks in the initial computer space to a portion of the initial setof power distribution infrastructure in the space, so that the initialset of power distribution infrastructure supplies electrical power tothe load banks, which are generating at test load that simulateselectrical power consumption by a maximum amount of electrical loadswhich can be installed in the initial computer space, through anentirety of the set of power distribution infrastructure. Such supplyingcan result in heat generation by the power distribution infrastructureand the one or more coupled load banks, where the generated heatcorresponds to an amount of heat generated when a set of electricalloads is installed in the initial computer space and is providedelectrical power support by the initial set of computer space powerdistribution infrastructure. The initial set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure can be operated, concurrently with the initialset of computer space power distribution infrastructure supporting thetest loads in the initial computer space, so that the computer spacemechanical infrastructure removes the heat generated as a result of thepower distribution infrastructure supporting the test loads generated bythe load banks in the initial computer space. Where the cooling providedby the mechanical infrastructure causes the steady-state operatingtemperatures in the initial computer space to remain below one or morethresholds, the initial set of computer space mechanical infrastructurecan be verified as being configured to provide cooling support toelectrical loads installed in the initial computer space.

The commissioning at 448 can include implementing one or more varioustests associated with the computer space mechanical infrastructure, andsuch tests can be similar to tests which can be implemented, at 444, aspart of commissioning the power system mechanical infrastructure.

Upon completion of the commissioning at 440 the installed electricalinfrastructure, including the installed power distribution system andthe installed initial sets of computer space power distributioninfrastructure, and the installed mechanical infrastructure, includingthe installed power system mechanical infrastructure and the installedsets of computer space mechanical infrastructure, will be verified asready to support electrical loads in the one or more initial computerspaces.

FIG. 5 illustrates incremental installation and commissioning ofmechanical infrastructure to support incremental expansion of electricalloads in a data center, according to some embodiments. The incrementalinstallation and commissioning can be implemented with regard to any ofthe embodiments of mechanical infrastructure, power distributionsystems, power distribution infrastructures, etc. included herein.

As shown from element “A” illustrated in FIG. 4-5, the incrementalinstallation and commissioning of mechanical infrastructure in a datacenter is implemented subsequent to installation and commissioning ofpower system mechanical infrastructure and initial computer spacemechanical infrastructure.

At 502, one or more sets of electrical loads are installed in computerspaces for which corresponding computer space electrical and mechanicalinfrastructure has been installed and commissioning. Installing anelectrical load can include mounting the electrical load in one or moreparticular positions in the computer space which exposes the electricalload to receiving cooling support from the associated computer spacemechanical infrastructure and electrically coupling the electrical loadto the associated computer space power distribution infrastructure sothat the electrical load receives electrical power support. Theinstalled electrical loads which receive electrical power support caninclude live loads.

At 504, a determination is made regarding whether to deploy anadditional computer space. If so, at 506, the additional space ispartitioned from computer spaces, in a remainder of the data center, inwhich live loads are installed and operating. Such partitioning caninclude erecting one or more partitions which restrict airflow betweenthe additional computer space and the spaces in which live loads aredeployed.

In some embodiments, as shown at 508, one or more portions of commonmechanical infrastructure are partitioned, so that support is providedto mechanical infrastructure supporting live loads independently ofsupport provided to mechanical infrastructure supporting test loads inthe additional computer space.

At 510, additional computer space infrastructure configured to supportat least one live load in the additional computer space is deployed. At512, deploying the additional computer space infrastructure configuredto support at least one live load in the additional computer spaceincludes installing an additional set of power distributioninfrastructure in association with the additional computer space. Theadditional set of power distribution infrastructure can include a powerbusway which extends through the additional computer space and isconfigured to supply electrical power from the power distribution systemto a set of live loads installed in the additional computer space.

At 514, deploying the additional computer space infrastructureconfigured to support at least one live load in the additional computerspace includes installing an additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure in association with the additional computer space. Theadditional set of computer space mechanical infrastructure can includeone or more air handling units, air cooling units, air moving devices,coolant circulation devices, etc. which are installed in one or morepositons proximate to the additional computer space and are configuredto remove heat generated by live loads, power distributioninfrastructure, etc. in the additional computer space.

At 520, the installed additional support infrastructure is commissionedas being configured to support live loads in the additional computerspace. The commissioning at 520 includes commissioning the additionalset of computer space power distribution infrastructure set at 522 andconcurrently commissioning the additional set of computer spacemechanical infrastructure at 524. Such commissioning can includecoupling one or more load banks in the additional computer space to aportion of the additional set of power distribution infrastructure inthe space, so that the additional set of power distributioninfrastructure supplies electrical power to the load banks, which aregenerating at test load that simulates electrical power consumption by amaximum amount of electrical loads which can be installed in theadditional computer space, through an entirety of the additional set ofpower distribution infrastructure. Such supplying can result in heatgeneration by the power distribution infrastructure and the one or morecoupled load banks, where the generated heat corresponds to an amount ofheat generated when a set of electrical loads is installed in theadditional computer space and is provided electrical power support bythe additional set of computer space power distribution infrastructure.The additional set of computer space mechanical infrastructure can beoperated, concurrently with the additional set of computer space powerdistribution infrastructure supporting the test loads in the additionalcomputer space, so that the additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure removes the heat generated as a result of the powerdistribution infrastructure supporting the test loads generated by theload banks in the additional computer space.

Where the cooling provided by the additional set of mechanicalinfrastructure causes the steady-state operating temperatures in theadditional computer space to remain below one or more thresholds, theadditional set of computer space mechanical infrastructure can beverified as being configured to provide cooling support to electricalloads installed in the additional computer space. The commissioning caninclude, based on the partitioning of the additional computer space,providing cooling support to the power distribution infrastructure andload banks in the additional computer space independently of thedeployed mechanical infrastructure providing cooling support to liveloads deployed in one or more other computer spaces isolated from theadditional computer space via partitioning.

The commissioning at 520 can include implementing one or more varioustests associated with the computer space mechanical infrastructure, andsuch tests can be similar to tests which can be implemented, at 444 inFIG. 4, as part of commissioning the power system mechanicalinfrastructure.

At 530, based on completion of the commissioning at 520, adjusting theadditional set of computer space mechanical infrastructure to operate inunison with the deployed sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure. Such adjusting can include adjusting the additional setof computer space mechanical infrastructure to provide a common amountof cooling support as the deployed sets of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure; adjusting one or more components of the additional setof computer space mechanical infrastructure to cause one or moreenvironmental parameters of the additional computer space, including airpressure, temperature, etc., to be adjusted to at least approximate oneor more environmental parameters of one or more deployed computerspaces, etc. At 540, the partitions are removed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system thatmay be used in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, a system that implements a portion or all of one ormore of the technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses asdescribed herein may include a general-purpose computer system thatincludes or is configured to access one or more computer-accessiblemedia, such as computer system 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. In theillustrated embodiment, computer system 600 includes one or moreprocessors 610 coupled to a system memory 620 via an input/output (I/O)interface 630. In some embodiments, computer system 600 further includesa network interface 640 coupled to I/O interface 630. In someembodiments, computer system 600 is independent of a network interfaceand can include a physical communication interface that can couple witha communication pathway, including a communication cable, powertransmission line, etc. to couple with various external components,systems, etc.

In various embodiments, computer system 600 may be a uniprocessor systemincluding one processor 610, or a multiprocessor system includingseveral processors 610 (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitablenumber). Processors 610 may be any suitable processors capable ofexecuting instructions. For example, in various embodiments, processors610 may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of avariety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86,PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. Inmultiprocessor systems, each of processors 610 may commonly, but notnecessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 620 may be configured to store instructions and dataaccessible by processor(s) 610. In various embodiments, system memory620 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such asstatic random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM),nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In theillustrated embodiment, program instructions and data implementing oneor more desired functions, such as a portion or all of one or more ofthe technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses asdescribed herein, are shown stored within system memory 620 as code 625and data 626.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 630 may be configured to coordinate I/Otraffic between processor 610, system memory 620, and any peripheraldevices in the device, including network interface 640 or otherperipheral interfaces. In some embodiments, I/O interface 630 mayperform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations toconvert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 620) into aformat suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor 610). Insome embodiments, I/O interface 630 may include support for devicesattached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant ofthe Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments,the function of I/O interface 630 may be split into two or more separatecomponents, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example.Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/Ointerface 630, such as an interface to system memory 620, may beincorporated directly into processor 610.

Network interface 640 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 600 and other devices 660 attached to a networkor networks 650, such as other computer systems, components, processorunits, or devices as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, for example. Invarious embodiments, network interface 640 may support communication viaany suitable wired or wireless general data networks, such as types ofEthernet network, for example. Additionally, network interface 640 maysupport communication via telecommunications/telephony networks such asanalog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, viastorage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any othersuitable type of network and/or protocol.

In some embodiments, system memory 620 may be one embodiment of acomputer-accessible medium configured to store program instructions anddata for implementing embodiments of a portion or all of one or more ofthe technologies, methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses asdescribed herein relative to FIGS. 1-5. In other embodiments, programinstructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon differenttypes of computer-accessible media. Generally speaking, acomputer-accessible medium may include non-transitory storage media ormemory media such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CDcoupled to computer system 600 via I/O interface 630. A non-transitorycomputer-accessible storage medium may also include any volatile ornon-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM,etc.), ROM, etc., that may be included in some embodiments of computersystem 600 as system memory 620 or another type of memory. Further, acomputer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signalssuch as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via acommunication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link, such asmay be implemented via network interface 640.

Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storinginstructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoingdescription upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, acomputer-accessible medium may include storage media or memory mediasuch as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile ornon-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.),ROM, etc., as well as transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The various methods as illustrated in the Figures and described hereinrepresent example embodiments of methods. The methods may be implementedin software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order of method maybe changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined,omitted, modified, etc.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A method, comprising: verifying that mechanicalinfrastructure in a data center is configured to support cooling of: atleast a power distribution system configured to provide electrical powersupport to a plurality of sets of rack computer systems in a pluralityof computer spaces of the data center; or a particular set of rackcomputer systems in an individual one of the computer spaces of the datacenter, wherein the verifying comprises, prior to installation in thedata center of the plurality of sets of rack computer systems or priorto installation of the particular set of rack computer systems:simulating electrical power consumption by the plurality of sets of rackcomputer systems via a plurality of load banks electrically coupled tothe power distribution system, such that the power distribution systemgenerates heat as a result of supporting the simulated electrical powerconsumption: or simulating electrical power consumption by theparticular set of the rack computer systems in the individual one of thecomputer spaces via a load bank located in the individual one of thecomputer spaces and electrically coupled to the power distributionsystem, such that the power distribution system and the load banklocated in the individual one of the computer spaces collectivelygenerate, in the individual computer space, a quantity of heatassociated with simulated electrical power consumption by the particularset of rack computer systems in the individual one of the computerspaces; and operating: a set of power system mechanical infrastructureconcurrently with the simulated electrical power consumption via theplurality of load banks, such that operating temperatures of eachportion of the power distribution system remain less than thresholdoperating temperatures associated with the respective portion of thepower distribution system: or a computer space mechanicalinfrastructure, such that the computer space mechanical infrastructureremoves the quantity of heat from the individual one of the computerspaces associated with the simulated electrical power consumption. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein said verifying the mechanicalinfrastructure in the data center comprises: verifying the set of powersystem mechanical infrastructure in the data center is configured tosupport cooling of the power distribution system; and verifying thecomputer space mechanical infrastructure in the data center isconfigured to support cooling the particular set of the rack computersystems in the individual one of the computer spaces of the data center.23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: installing the set ofrack computer systems in the individual one of the computer spaces ofthe data center; operating the power distribution system to provideelectrical power to the set of rack computer systems in the individualone of the computers spaces; and operating the mechanical infrastructureto cool the power distribution system and the individual computer space,wherein said operating the power distribution system and said operatingthe mechanical infrastructure are performed prior to installation ofanother set of rack computer systems in at least one other one of thecomputer spaces of the data center.
 24. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising: erecting one or more partitions between the individual oneof the computer spaces of the data center and the at least one other oneof the computer spaces of the data center.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the one or more partitions comprise a partition that at leastpartially partitions a portion of the mechanical infrastructure fromanother portion of the mechanical infrastructure, wherein the portion ofthe mechanical infrastructure is coupled to the computer spacemechanical infrastructure for the individual one of the computer spacesof the data center.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:adjusting the computer space mechanical infrastructure to cool theindividual one of the computer spaces of the data center whilesimulating, via the load bank, the electrical power consumption by theparticular set of the rack computer systems in the individual one of thecomputer spaces.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:removing the partition that at least partially partitions the portion ofthe of the mechanical infrastructure coupled to the computer spacemechanical infrastructure from the other portion of the mechanicalinfrastructure.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: erectingone or more additional partitions between an additional computer spaceof the data center and a non-commissioned portion of the data center;coupling an additional computer space mechanical infrastructure to themechanical infrastructure, wherein the additional computer spacemechanical infrastructure is to provide cooling to the additionalcomputer space; and verifying that the additional computer spacemechanical infrastructure is configured to support cooling of aparticular set of the rack computer systems in, or to be installed in,the additional computer space of the data center.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein said verifying is performed, via a load banksimulation, prior to installation of the particular set of the rackcomputer systems in the additional computer space of the data center.30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: installing computerspace power distribution infrastructure in the additional computerspace; and coupling the load bank to the computer space powerdistribution infrastructure in the additional computer space to simulateelectrical power consumption of the particular set of the rack computersystems to be installed in the additional computer space.
 31. A datacenter, comprising: a power distribution system configured to provideelectrical power support to a plurality of rack computer systems in, orto be installed in, a plurality of computer spaces of the data center; apower system mechanical infrastructure configured to provide coolingsupport to the power distribution system; at least one computer space;at least one computer space mechanical infrastructure configured toprovide cooling support to a particular set of racks installed in, or tobe installed in, the at least one computer space; and a set of loadbanks configured to simulate power consumption by the plurality of rackcomputer systems in, or to be installed in, the plurality of computerspaces; or a load bank configured to simulate power consumption and heatgeneration of the particular set of racks installed in, or to beinstalled in, the at least one computer space.
 32. The data center ofclaim 31, further comprising: one or more proximate spaces, proximate tothe computer space; and one or more barriers erected to restrict airflowbetween the at least one computer space and the one or more proximatespaces.
 33. The data center of claim 32, wherein at least some of theone or more barriers partition the at least one computer space from aparticular one of the one or more proximate spaces that is beingcommissioned as an additional computer space.
 34. The data center ofclaim 32, wherein each of the at least one computer spaces comprises: apower busway which extends through the computer space and which isconfigured to be electrically coupled, at one end, to the powerdistribution system of the data center.
 35. The data center of claim 34,wherein respective ones of the power busways comprise a plurality ofbusway segments coupled together.
 36. The data center of claim 35,wherein each of the one or more proximate spaces comprises: a powerbusway stub segment, and wherein each of the at least one computer spacecomprises: power busway segments coupled to a power busway stub segment.37. The data center of claim 36, wherein the set of load banksconfigured to simulate power consumption of the plurality of rackcomputer systems in, or to be installed in, the plurality of computerspaces comprises one or more load banks electrically coupled torespective ones of the power busway stub segments of the one or moreproximate spaces.
 38. The data center of claim 32, wherein at least someof the one or more barriers are configured to be removed from themechanical infrastructure during commissioning of the at least onecomputer space.
 39. The data center of claim 31, wherein: the at leastone computer space mechanical infrastructure comprises a set of airhandling units configured to induce a cooling air flow through the atleast one computer space; the data center comprises an intake air headerunit which is configured to supply intake air to each computer space, ofthe plurality of computer spaces, in parallel; and the one or morebarriers partition an interior of the intake air header unit, so thatintake air supplied to a particular set of air handling units, includedin the at least one computer space mechanical infrastructure, isisolated from being supplied to a separate set of air handling unitsincluded in an additional set of computer space mechanicalinfrastructure for the additional computer space that is beingcommissioned.
 40. The data center of claim 31, wherein: each of thecomputer space mechanical infrastructures comprises one or more of: aset of direct evaporation air cooling units configured to induce coolingof an air flow; a set of active air cooling units configured to inducecooling of an air flow via heat transfer with a circulating coolant; aset of mechanical cooling units configured to induce cooling of an airflow via operation of a mechanical device; or a set of exhaust airmoving devices configured to induce an exhaust airflow from a givenspace.